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Comment by bane | Hacker News Reader

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Android does have keyboard and mouse support. An Android device can in theory make a decent Linux-ish device -- some even have monitor out.

Desktop-like apps (along with browsers):

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andropenof...

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.octave

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icecoldapp...

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androi...

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stericson.busy...

* https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hipipal.qp...

I haven't tried all these (never needed to), but I can see some scenarios where these might make a passable desktop alternative.

I keep seeing people making this wrong assumption that an Android device makes a linux-ish device.

Android is a component-based linux. It can't play the role of a full-fledged OS that the diff. flavours of linux play.

hence the "-ish"

Not only that, but if the modem is compatible they can theoretically be used as actual cell phones as well. They are multi-dimensional in function. And finally, if a budget can be acquired for education, a simple Bluetooth IO device can give them micro-controller like abilities for educational purposes. And above all, the hardware is recycled for a damn good cause and not dumped in a landfill.

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